PC Recording Studios For Dummies [Paperback]

Jeff Strong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0764577077 | ISBN-13: 978-0764577079 | Edition: 1

Here's how to make sound decisions about a desktop studio

Get the lowdown on equipment, design your studio space, and set your music free!

If you've been dreaming of making music with your computer, wake up and get started! Musician Jeff Strong clears a path for you through all the confusing options, helping you sort out hardware and software choices, coax the sound you want from your equipment, work with equalizers and processors, and start your creative juices flowing!

Discover how to
* Choose the right system and install software
* Optimize studio sound for recording and mixing
* Understand audio interfaces, sound cards, and MIDI gear
* Compare popular programs
* Mix and master your tracks

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Here's how to make sound decisions about a desktop studio

Get the lowdown on equipment, design your studio space, and set your music free!

If you've been dreaming of making music with your computer, wake up and get started! Musician Jeff Strong clears a path for you through all the confusing options, helping you sort out hardware and software choices, coax the sound you want from your equipment, work with equalizers and processors, and start your creative juices flowing!

Discover how to

• Choose the right system and install software
• Optimize studio sound for recording and mixing
• Understand audio interfaces, sound cards, and MIDI gear
• Compare popular programs
• Mix and master your tracks

About the Author

Jeff Strong is the author of Home Recording for Musicians For Dummies as well as Pro Tools All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies and is President of the REI Institute, a MusicMedicine research organization and therapy provider. Jeff graduated from the Percussion Institute of Technology at the Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles in 1983, and has either worked in or owned a recording studio since 1985. Every week, he records dozens of custom-client CDs by using the kinds of audio recording software covered in these pages. He has also released eight commercially available CDs, four of which can be found at www.reiinstitute.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764577077
• ISBN-13: 978-0764577079
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeff Strong, the author of Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies, is President of the REI Institute, which is a MusicMedicine research organization and therapy provider. Jeff graduated is his ninth book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars PC Recording Studios For Dummies (For Dummies), March 8, 2006

By 

J. Shlezar (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PC Recording Studios For Dummies (Paperback)

The book is not bad for someone who is new to recording; although, the technical information written in the book is outdated! Author mentioned for example that USB2 is brand new think in computing; I have USB2 for several years and the copyright of this book is 2005! Also while writing of this book, author use Mac computer and not PC as mentioned in the title of this book. In examples of software, author works with Mac software costing $1000 and another software (Pro Tools) that run on both, PC and Mac. Author mentioned in the book, that 32 track recording software is not sufficient. The version of Pro Tools that is not limited to 32 tracks starts at $4000. Author should use examples for Sonar or Cubase to keep trend with home recording engineers. Those software are professional quality and financially friendlier. About $500.
I would like to conclude my review. If you want a book that explain you basic of home recording and you are willing to do extensive research about software and hardware through Internet or other sources, the book is for you. From the other hand, hardware and software for recording is changing so rapidly that you would have to make some research anyway, though, this book would be actual about 5 years ago. Myself, I wouldn't buy this book if I new how outdated information it contained.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beginners book, July 25, 2006

By 

Judson Chung (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PC Recording Studios For Dummies (Paperback)

I had no idea on how to do PC recording, now I know. However, I put 4 star instead of 5 because of the book is not up-to-date enough. The PC requirement descriped in the book is kinda old, I think they need to keep the book update for every year (if that is possible). For example, 1G or 2G RAM is quite common these days, but the book still staying in the 256-512M age. But in general, it is a great book on how to start out on PC recording.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad at all, December 22, 2007

By 

Nathan A. Edwards (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PC Recording Studios For Dummies (Paperback)

In a world of rapidly advancing technology, it is understandably difficult to write a book based upon technology that is not quickly outdated. As such, the 2005 copyright might incite some immediate hesitation. Unfortunately, there is not a significant amount of comparable reading material with regard to this subject matter which has been written more recently. However, in this case, there is relatively little to fear. In my opinion, the core concepts still apply, and the reader is simply forced to replace the written "currently available" this or that with what one knows to now be available in terms of both hardware and software.

This work is a legitimate help to inexperienced readers who are seeking to wet their palate or gain a better understanding of the home recording process. In fact, the material found within ranges from the most basic of basic to fairly complex subject material, and much of what should be between. The only drawbacks might be (other than the date issue) the fact that the author focuses primarily on Pro Tools and Logic; however, if the reader prefers either Pro Tools or Logic this would be a significant advantage. Even this is understandable when considering the veritable plethora of available software options, and I commend the author for even covering two of the major players at such great depths. Furthermore, the author, at least, attempts to take an unbiased approach while explaining processes involving both Macs and PCs. Overall, if the title appears to pertain to what it is that you are looking for, the purchase is probably worth it if not only until an updated version is available.